The focus for this exciting new two-day course will be the science and technology of a new class of materials that has been making a silent revolution in the last decade. The building blocks of these materials, be they metal, ceramic or polymers, are nanometer size particles that can be engineered by controlling their sizes.

The emphasis will be on providing students with an introduction to the science of nano technology, the building blocks of nano structured materials, their chemical and structural characterization and material behavior, and the technological implications of these materials for industry during the next ten years. Attention will also be given to exploring new developments in this field and future perspectives.

The Revolution of Materials and Manufacturing. The ever increasing need for more specialized materials continuously pushes the envelope of modern technology, equipment and human intellect. The present period in molecular manufacturing research is extremely exciting. Understanding of fundamental properties of structures at the nano scale is being increased exponentially through fabrication of very small test objects using new capabilities, and analyzing them with the aid of sophisticated computational models.

As this field continues to expand and grow, materials technology will produce products, components and systems that are smaller, smarter, multi-functional, environmentally compatible, more survivable, and customizable. These products will not only contribute to the growing revolutions of information and biology, but will also significantly impact manufacturing, logistics, and our culture as a whole.

The Technology Revolution and Industry. The technology revolution is going far beyond merely generating products and services. Products and services are changing the way people interact and live. Business is becoming increasingly global and interconnected; a trend likely to continue with the aid of agile manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Certain manufacturing and research equipment may continue to be more costly and concentrated in the hands of a few manufacturers. However, the continued development of rapid prototyping will make relatively low-cost equipment requiring little infrastructure increasingly feasible.

Rapid Prototyping, together with embedded sensors, has already provided a means for accelerated and more affordable design and development of complex components and systems. This capability, together with flexible manufacturing methods and equipments, will facilitate development of global business enterprises with components that are more easily specified and manufactured across the globe.

The Impact of Nano materials. Nano technology and nano materials are emphasized as one of the seven strategic R&D priorities in the new Framework Programme of the European Union. The discovery of new materials such as fullerenes and nanotubes has created substantial interest as new physical and chemical properties were discovered, opening new possibilities for technical applications.

The development of scanning probe techniques has allowed not only the microscopy of surfaces with atomic resolution, but also the manipulation of atoms and molecules on surfaces, and many analytical techniques have been developed to allow detailed characterization of materials and structures on the atomic level with unprecedented accuracy. The utilization of materials with nanometer-sized structures will lead to innovative solutions for tomorrow's products.

Framework for a Renaissance of Profitability. Technology's promise is here today and will march forward. Although its widespread effects will not be uniform globally, and will play out differently on the global stage, there will be no turning back. While the challenges are many, they portend opportunities for a Renaissance of Profitability for those businesses that move ahead of the curve with a strong R&D program, and the education and training of key personnel in the principles and fundamentals of nano technology -- a technology that in this and subsequent decades will change our world in ways yet to be imagined.

The Technology Revolution and Human Resources. The accelerating pace of technological change combined with "creative destruction" of industries is steadily increasing the importance of continued education and training. The requirements for participating in the generation of products and services are changing. As technology continues to become more interdisciplinary, education and training must change to enable workers to participate. Technology workers, including designers, engineers, technicians, and operations managers will need a deeper multidisciplinary education to enable teaming, and to understand when to bring in specialists from different disciplines.

Key Course Topics. AMA is pleased to offer this brand new course in nano technology. Designed as an introduction to the fundamentals of nano materials, it will be of strong interest to any one with an interest in this exciting discipline, and will be of significant benefit to designers, engineers, plant and operations managers, and advanced technicians. Topic highlights of the course include:

Other AMA Courses. Designed for non metallurgists, the AMA Professional Course Series takes the mystery out of metallurgy and advanced materials. Guaranteed to sharpen skills and techniques, they are designed to help your employees achieve a higher level of performance, faster. Introductory level courses provide employees with focused application of skills on typical functional assignments. The more advanced, intensive course versions complement the core curriculum, with the focus on the study of particular skill sets in greater depth. Advanced Materials Associates Continuing Education Courses include:

Custom tailored in-house training. Manufacturers are being confronted with a plethora of challenges and opportunities that did not exist in times past. That is why those who are serious about success understand the cost savings, value and return on investment of a strong on site professional development/continuing education program. Whether your goal is to establish and build a training program or strengthen your company's existing professional development training, more profitably, Advanced Materials Associates can tailor a course program to your firm's specific needs and objectives. Additional information about our corporate training program is available here.

To explore the ways in which our professional development courses can take your key employees beyond the scope of their own experience, and help them identify ways to improve and enhance productivity, please contact AMA CEO, Dr. Jacob Stiglich.